Spirit of Revelation

So I know this isn't exactly about the family or our daily lives. But I feel that it is just as important. Today while Michael slept I had the opportunity to read my scriptures as well as read a chapter from the Teachings of Howard W. Hunter. Being a nursery teacher doesn't really give me the chance to listen to the lessons on Sunday so I'm a little behind. Anyway, as I read I got the repeated message of the importance of the Holy Ghost. I also had the understanding of some of the events that happened during the resurrection. They were things that I'd never before thought were important or fully understood. First, the Holy Ghost is a gift and we can receive revelation or comfort through him at any time as long as we are faithful to the gospel of Christ. When I was a teenager (weird to say seeing as that wasn't very long ago) I may not have always made the right choices. There was a time in my life that I turned away from the gospel simply because I wanted to enjoy things of the world. I wanted to be the girl with a steady boyfriend, I wanted to be noticed for the things I did... and for a long time I didn't really care who I hurt in the process. Even if that included hurting myself. In doing these things, in believing that the praise and acknowledgments I got from the world were more important then my spiritual well being. I turned away from the guidance offered to my by my Heavenly Father. I turned away from the gift that when all the worldly things left I really needed to give me comfort, to give me strength to come back. As a mother, I think I am now starting to understand what it means to hurt when your children hurt. Yes, Michael isn't quite one yet (one week from today) but it still hurts to hear and see him cry. In those situations where I really can't do anything for him, it hurts even worse. It is the moments when you have to let him cry to learn that is the worst. And because of this I wish I'd done better when I was a teenager, because I am starting to understand how hard it was for my parents to see me suffer as I went through trials. As I endured things that could have possibly been avoided if I'd just listened to that still small voice. There are still times where I wish I could take it all back, but I also have to wonder if I'd be where I am now if I'd lead a different life. Second, there is an eternal plan and reason for everything in this life. As I read from the Teachings of Howard W. Hunter I had the realization that the tomb of Christ was guarded for a reason. The people went to Pilate and pleaded with him to set a guard so that Christ's apostles couldn't remove his body and claim that he had risen as prophesied. But because there were guards there to ensure this they were a witness to angels coming to push away the stone from the door. This was all part of the plan, to ensure that there were people there to witness and testify of God's power. And to testify to the truth that Christ had been resurrected. I know that Heavenly Father provides for his people, and that he provides a way when the first is obscured. I know that this has happened in my life. As I watch my little boy grow I hope to be able to instill these truths in him. I hope that I can teach him the teachings of Christ. But above all I hope that he will listen to the Holy Ghost so that when he comes to choosing between right and wrong that he will know which way to go.